Idols

I've been thinking about idols lately because of a sermon series I have been listening to. Back in Bible times, an idol was anything man-made that people worshiped. The idea sounds absurd to me because the Israelite's encountered the living God so many times and then would forget and make some idol and worship it. It sounds ridiculous.

It sounds like us. 

Maybe we don't have God parting the sea for us. Maybe we didn't wander through the desert and see God in cloud and fire form. But maybe just maybe we've encountered him too. Maybe the Israelite's seem more stupid because they encountered God in more 'miraculous' ways than we have. BUT we have the Holy Spirit with us at all times - so maybe we're more stupid. Either way - we're all stupid. Because we've all encountered God and we still worship idols. 

In this day and age, followers of God, the God of the Bible, likely don't make idols and worship them. At least not on purpose. But how many people are addicted to their phones? Or computers? Or TV shows? All man made. We don't purposely worship them. But we do.

I was thinking about my idols yesterday (TV shows, computer, pride, etc.) and how some of those things I could just stop doing. I could stop watching TV. I could limit myself on the computer. It won't be as easy to let go of pride but the other things I can stop. Then I thought about the Israelites. Many times in the Bible there are examples of people worshipping idols and even putting them in God's temple. Then they re-encounter God and are convicted of their idols. So what do they do? They go to the temple, get the idols and burn them. Just like that.

Could I burn my idols? 

Often I ask God to help me with my idols. But he has - by convicting me. Now it's up to me to 'burn' them. I want him to rip away the desire I have for them, but then where does my work and sacrifice come in? It doesn't. If God just took away my desires for these things, it'd be easier. But how does that build my character. How does that show my sacrifices for God? 

So God does the convicting and it is up to us to get rid of our idols. The Israelite's just go to the temple and get rid of them. No questions asked. So why am I always left standing there not wanting to give up my idols? Why don't I run to the temple and readily give up my idols?

Where your....

So many Christians struggle with discipline. We struggle to spend time in prayer (longer then 5 minutes), we struggle to read our Bible, church can sometimes be boring and we'd rather watch TV, go on the internet or read a book then spend time with God. Why do we struggle so much? Because....

Matthew 6:21 - 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I've never made the connection with discipline and where my heart is at. BUT discipline is easy when your heart’s there.

If you want something bad enough, you'll go after it at whatever cost. You want that new TV you can't afford? You either work hard and save your money or you buy it on credit. You'll do whatever it takes if you want that TV. If you love somebody and are dating them long distance, you'll travel to see them as often as possible, no matter how long the plane/train/car ride, because you love them. If you want a baby but are infertile you'll go through the grueling process of infertility (if possible), to try for a baby. 

It makes sense that if you love something or someone enough, you'll do whatever it takes AND it's not a major sacrifice but a joy. 

What a conviction this is to me today. I know that most times I'd rather be on the internet then spend quality time with God. Why? Because obviously I love the internet more than God. Maybe you disagree but it's the truth. Sometimes I'd rather clean than spend time with God...which is sad because I don't really like cleaning that much.

It's time I ask the Holy Spirit to help me put my heart in the right place! Where is your treasure? 

This GIANT light of mine....

Mark 4: 21-25

He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.  Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

AHHH! I was reading these verses yesterday and was so confused by the second half. The first half makes sense. From reading the Bible, I know Jesus is light and therefore I am meant to 'show him off' to the world. Got it. I also understand that we can't hide our sins and God will bring to the light all of our darkness. Understand that. But what is this business about...

 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.  Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

Well maybe it is obvious to some people, but I didn't get it. So I asked Nathan and I read some commentaries online. This is what I get from it.

If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” “Consider carefully what you hear,”

Well obviously we all have ears. Most of us aren't deaf. But Jesus is talking about Spiritual ears. If you want to know truth - LISTEN UP! God will tell you. But if you're not interested, you won't hear. Plain and simple. Consider carefully what you hear.....I suppose this means that we can listen to the world or Jesus. If Jesus is the light then we should be listening to him and not the darkness. This is what I take from this verse. We need to consider what we hear from Jesus and decide whether we believe Him or not. 

“With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.  Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

This is where I was really getting stuck. What does Jesus mean? I read on a commentary this:

 Added knowledge brings added responsibility. Instead of being proud about what we know, we need to be humbled by the responsibility that this knowledge has brought us. God's truth was meant to be practiced and proclaimed. Not only must we proclaim what God has given to us, but we must put it to work in our own lives. (http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/mark/4_21-25.htm) 

The author goes on to say that as Christians we have responsibility. We MUST walk out what Jesus says OR what we do have will be taken away from us. It's true!!! Read Mark 4:21-26 again!! Here is what I gather quickly from the verses:

1. Jesus is light and you should put him on display for all
2. Because God is light, everything hidden (sins) will eventually be brought to light
3. If you have spiritual ears and want to hear - listen up!
4. Listen to what you are hearing. Is it from God or others??
5. If you listen to God and act it out, he'll give you more. If you listen but don't walk it out - what you have will be taken away.

I don't know about you but I know for myself that what I DO have in God I don't want taken from me. If I want more, I need to pursue more. If I don't care, then he'll take it away anyway. 

This is what I gather from these verses. Maybe I am reading into it wrong, but this is what I have for now!